345 Caffe Italiano, Coral Gables

Despite being separated from the Mediterranean by an entire ocean, 345 Caffe Italiano manages to bring an authentic taste of Italy to southern Florida. Its chefs embrace tradition by importing specialty meats and cheeses directly from the Old World, and pair these distinctive flavors with locally sourced produce to better capture the inherent freshness of true Italian bistro cooking. This is most evident in the eatery's panini sandwiches, which can feature everything from bresaola della valtellina (cured beef) and Italian goat cheese to grilled eggplant and basil between two pieces of gently crisped bread. As a sweet counterpoint to the savory panini, the cafe also offers a variety of sweet and savory crepes, classic espresso drinks, and gelato that is made fresh daily using shavings from Italy's famous icebergs.